Tuskegee Airmen National Scholarship Program

Background Information
Tuskegee Airmen, Incorporated™ is a unique organization dedicated to the preservation of the history of African-American Veterans whose service during World War II demonstrated to America that the criteria for responsible citizenship are character and achievement rather than ethnic origin. Although incorporated in Washington, D.C., the organization consists of many chapters, a National Museum at the Coleman Young International Airport Detroit, MI and the Tuskegee Airmen Scholarship Foundation, located in Los Angeles, CA.

Each year the Tuskegee Airmen Scholarship Foundation grants scholarship awards to deserving young men and women. Each year the number of available scholarship awards is directly related to income received from investments. An average of forty (40) awards of one thousand five hundred dollars ($1,500.00) are available yearly. The $1,500.00 awards are for one year only.

Eligibility Requirements
Applicants must be students of accredited high schools who have graduated or will graduate in the current scholarship year. Additionally, applying students must have a GPA of at least three points (3.0) on a four-point scale.

Application Procedure
Application forms and instructions may be obtained from high school guidance counselors or the nearest Tuskegee Airmen, Inc. Chapter. Completed applications must be returned to the specific address indicated on page 1 of this application or to the nearest Tuskegee Airmen, Inc. Chapter, on or before January 14 of the award year. Each applicant must complete the entire application and provide all attachments listed on the bottom of the application form.

• Each applicant must submit a two (2) page essay containing: a biographical sketch, educational aspirations, career goals and an explanation of why financial aid is essential.

• Additionally, the applicant must include a single page essay entitled “The Tuskegee Airmen” which reflects an overview of their history. Essays must be typed, double-spaced with 1-inch margins on 8.5” x 11” paper. Please note, all attachments to application must not exceed 8.5” x 11” in size.

• To validate the financial status of the applicant, a copy of parent(s)’ latest IRS Form 1040 through adjusted gross income line must be included in application package. If not required to file Form 1040, provide official alternate source document to verify income, such as statement from Public Social Services, Pensions or SSI (W-2 or W-4 not acceptable). SSN may be “blacked out”.

Selection Procedure
Applications for scholarship assistance received by individual chapters of Tuskegee Airmen, Inc. are screened, verified as deemed appropriate, and competitively evaluated. Application files determined worthy of further consideration are forwarded to the Tuskegee Airmen Scholarship Selection Committee for National Competition. A scholarship selection committee, composed of several members from each Tuskegee Airmen, Inc. Region, evaluates individual applications. Using a scale of one hundred (100) points, the committee considers academic achievement, extra curricular and community activities, relative financial need, recommendations, and both essays to competitively rank applicants.

Notification Procedure Finalists (selectees and non-selectees) will receive individual notices of final results from the Tuskegee Airmen Scholarship Foundation Board of Directors.

Award Payment Certification
Scholarship awardees may enroll in the institution of their choice. Upon completion of enrollment, the school registrar must send verification of enrollment and curriculum to the Tuskegee Airmen Scholarship Foundation. When the required verification have been received, individual award payments, made payable to the student or parent, will be mailed by Wells Fargo Bank, Los Angeles.

Award Payment Limitation
All scholarship awards must be paid within one year from date of selection notification.

Upcoming Post

February is fast approaching. Request for speakers to honor the Tuskegee Airmen have started to arrive. Your help in keeping the legacy alive is needed.

Chapter Meetings

Chapter meetings are held the second Wednesday of the month at 6:30 PM at the Heritage House on Olive.

A New Year has begun and I invite all new and current members to meet 9 January 2019 at the Heritage House. Please contact chapter thru tuskegeeairmenstl@gmail.com